Religious Pluralism and Theology (2) Inclusivism Flashcards

1
Q

What is Theological Inclusivism?

A
  • The view that although Christianity is the normative mens of salvation, ‘anonymous’ Christians may also receive salvation
  • Inclusivists argue that knowledge of God may be implicit and not solely gained through fides ex auditu
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2
Q

What are the two forms of inclusivism that D’Costa differentiates between?

A
  • Structural Inclusivism
  • Restrictive Inclusivism
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3
Q

Who developed Structural Inclusivism and what does it argue?

A
  • Developed by German Roman Catholic Jesuit, Karl Rahner
  • SI states that any religion who’s structure develops an openness to Gods grace as revealed in Christ may receive salvation
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4
Q

How does Rahner argue that all humans are able to desire grace and salvation?

A
  • Rahner argues that all human experience is limited and finite
  • Because of this fineness, humans have to accept that they can only have an unconditional ‘openness’ to existence itself
  • This openness suggests all humans desire grace and salvation
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5
Q

How does Rahner argue all humans have a sensus divinatatus through our experience of ‘being’?

A
  • Rahner argues that deep down we are aware of our morality and limitations
  • This prompts us to think about the nature of our existence and our ‘being’
  • Once we realise the ‘being’ is deeply mysterious, then humans encounter the unfathomable experience of Gods infinites grace; the one source of this ‘being’
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6
Q

How does Rahner argue that all religious implicitly support his claims?

A
  • He argues that this support is seen when people ask others to behave selflessly, lovingly and charitably to one another
  • The structures of worship create an openness to ‘being’ and grace
  • The only religion that presents grace explicitly and fully is Christianity through the revelation of Christ
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7
Q

What is the relationship between implicit and explicit knowledge in Rahner’s theology?

A
  • He provides a framework to explain the nature of salvation
  • Emphasises the relationship between Christian and Non-Christian
  • Also gives an explanation for the inculpably ignorant
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8
Q

What is Anonymous Christianity?

A
  • A term coined by Rahner to refer to any institution which through its structures, practices and values is a means of grace
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9
Q

How does Anonymous Christianity fare with the Christian idea of incarnation?

A
  • Despite incarnation occurring in a specific context Rahner still argues it is universal and timeless
  • He argues that it is a marks a development within history not a divide
  • This is because it is an expression of Gods immanence with the world as a whole and its people
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10
Q

Quote Karl Rahner on Anonymous Christianity and Gods grace?

A

“all men must be capable of being members of the Church”
- He argues that a God who does not wish humans to be saved is incompatible with the experience of Gods grace and his love for his creation

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11
Q

What is Aquinas’ notion of Vote Ecclesia and how does Rahner develop this? (Quote)

A
  • The notion where by even wanting grace by faithfully following a non-Christian religion is sufficient for Gods grace
  • “a non-Christian religion can be recognised as a lawful religion”
  • Each religion must be judged by the quality of salvation which it offers
  • Must go beyond personal experience and have an organised authority to regulate truth and falsehood
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12
Q

What example is in the OT that suggests the presence of Anonymous Christians?

A
  • OT prophets existed outside of Isreals religion and were yet regarded as main proponents of Isreals doctrine of grace
  • This suggests anonymous Christians exist
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13
Q

What two a priori notions does Rahner use to argue the existence of Anonymous Christians?

A
  • All humans are ignorant to some extent according to the Original Sin
  • All humans are loved unconditionally by God according to the doctrine of Grace
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14
Q

What speech by St Paul does Rahner use to disagree it the Catholic Churchs notion of extra eclesiam nulla salus?

A
  • Cites the speech at the Areopagus in Athens, where St Paul refers to the ‘unknown God’ at the altar
  • Although the Greeks worship what they cannot see, Christians know this unknown God explicitly through Christ
  • However Paul does not condemn the Greek religion but sees it as a way for those who haven’t heard the gospel to know about God
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15
Q

What is the invisible Church for Rahner? (Quote)

A
  • the Church when its not an ‘exclusive community’ but rather has an important role to play in bringing the teachings of Christianity into the wider world
  • Role of the Church is more elusive and less significant
  • Christian has a duty to make God who is greater than the Church known to the world
    “tolerant… towards all non-Christian religions” - St Paul
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16
Q

What is the role of the visible Church for Rahner?

A
  • He argues that the role of the visible Church is to proclaim explicit means of grace as expressed in the person of Christ
  • Moral actions are only good if they conform to the examples set by Christ who is the mediator of Grace
  • In order to experience the fullness of Gods grace an anonymous Christian ought to convert and become a Church member
17
Q

What is Restrictive Inclusivism?

A
  • Argue that God makes provision for individuals who have not heard about the Gospel but still respond positively to natural law through conscience and elements of their own religion
  • They do not consider non-Christian religion to be salvific
  • A non-Christian religion may only be good preparation for salvation
18
Q

How can it be argued that RI is no different from UAE?

A
  • RI is not inclusivist, it does not include non-Christian religions, only a few individuals
19
Q

Can SI be argued to make Christianity imperialist?

A
  • Can be a cause of the imperialism it tries to avoid
  • The use of the term ‘anonymous’ to describe non-Christians is offensive and marginalising to their own faith beliefs
20
Q

Can it be said that SI focuses too much on grace independent from Christ?

A
  • Despite efforts to maintain Sola Christus, he emphasises the general experience of God as more important
21
Q

Can it be said Anonymous Christianity/Christians is unbiblical?

A
  • Church grew out of the Israelite religion of the OT, it is not independent
  • It is therefore a false analogy to compare it to the Israelite religion of the OT
22
Q

Does SI not reinforce Fides ex auditu enough?

A
  • Can be said it does not emphasise it enough
  • Without it, how can anonymous Christians fully confide their sins in a Christian way?
  • This is a fundamental condition of being Christian according to D’Costa, so how can someone implicitly do this?
23
Q

Could it be said that Rahner misused Votum Ecclesia?

A
  • Phrase refers to those who consciously want to become members of the Church
  • Not implicitly become a member of something you don’t know what is